Software connectors are architectural elements that model interactions between components. They define rules governing interactions and provide channels for transferring control and data. In software systems, connectors are often not explicitly implemented but distributed across code, while in architectures they are first-class entities with identities. Treating connectors independently from components supports separation of interaction from computation and facilitates software evolution.

1. Software Connectors Software Architecture Lecture 7

2. What is a Software Connector? Architectural element that models Interactions among components Rules that govern those interactions Simple interactions Procedure calls Shared variable access Complex & semantically rich interactions Client-server protocols Database access protocols Asynchronous event multicast Each connector provides Interaction duct(s) Transfer of control and/or data

3. Where are Connectors in Software Systems? Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

4. Implemented vs. Conceptual Connectors Connectors in software system implementations Frequently no dedicated code Frequently no identity Typically do not correspond to compilation units Distributed implementation Across multiple modules Across interaction mechanisms

5. Implemented vs. Conceptual Connectors (cont’d) Connectors in software architectures First-class entities Have identity Describe all system interaction Entitled to their own specifications & abstractions

6. Reasons for Treating Connectors Independently Connector  Component Components provide application-specific functionality Connectors provide application-independent interaction mechanisms Interaction abstraction and/or parameterization Specification of complex interactions Binary vs. N-ary Asymmetric vs. Symmetric Interaction protocols

7. Treating Connectors Independently (cont’d) Localization of interaction definition Extra-component system (interaction) information Component independence Component interaction flexibility

8. Benefits of First-Class Connectors Separate computation from interaction Minimize component interdependencies Support software evolution At component-, connector-, & system-level Potential for supporting dynamism Facilitate heterogeneity Become points of distribution Aid system analysis & testing

9. An Example of Explicit Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

10. An Example of Explicit Connectors (cont’d) ? Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

11. Software Connector Roles Locus of interaction among set of components Protocol specification (sometimes implicit) that defines its properties Types of interfaces it is able to mediate Assurances about interaction properties Rules about interaction ordering Interaction commitments (e.g., performance) Roles Communication Coordination Conversion Facilitation

12. Connectors as Communicators Main role associated with connectors Supports Different communication mechanisms e.g. procedure call, RPC, shared data access, message passing Constraints on communication structure/direction e.g. pipes Constraints on quality of service e.g. persistence Separates communication from computation May influence non-functional system characteristics e.g. performance, scalability, security

13. Connectors as Coordinators Determine computation control Control delivery of data Separates control from computation Orthogonal to communication, conversion, and facilitation Elements of control are in communication, conversion and facilitation

14. Connectors as Converters Enable interaction of independently developed, mismatched components Mismatches based on interaction Type Number Frequency Order Examples of converters Adaptors Wrappers

15. Connectors as Facilitators Enable interaction of components intended to interoperate Mediate and streamline interaction Govern access to shared information Ensure proper performance profiles e.g., load balancing Provide synchronization mechanisms Critical sections Monitors

16. Connector Types Procedure call Data access Event Stream Linkage Distributor Arbitrator Adaptor

17. A Framework for Classifying Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

18. Procedure Call Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

19. Event Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

20. Data Access Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

21. Linkage Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

22. Stream Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

23. Arbitrator Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

24. Adaptor Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

25. Distributor Connectors Software Architecture: Foundations, Theory, and Practice ; Richard N. Taylor, Nenad Medvidovic, and Eric M. Dashofy; © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

26. Discussion Connectors allow modeling of arbitrarily complex interactions Connector flexibility aids system evolution Component addition, removal, replacement, reconnection, migration Support for connector interchange is desired Aids system evolution May not affect system functionality

27. Discussion Libraries of OTS connector implementations allow developers to focus on application-specific issues Difficulties Rigid connectors Connector “dispersion” in implementations Key issue Performance vs. flexibility